Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  2024  Day 137

May 16;       I Timothy 3:5;        193/260;         ‘Care of Family & Church’

1 Timothy 3:5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)

Chapter 3 of I Timothy lists the qualifications of a Pastor (Bishop) and deacons.  Just a note that a deacon is one who serves in some capacity in a local church.  Religion has made the role of a deacon as one who has the responsibility to oversee the church.  The Bible clearly teaches that the Lord Jesus has called the Pastor to the local church and the Pastor is accountable to the Lord for how the church functions.  Since the Pastor is accountable to the Lord, he or she needs to be the one to oversee the church.  Deacons help the Pastor and are accountable to the Pastor.  Though these qualification pertain to the Pastor and deacons, all Christians should conduct themselves following these guidelines.  Verse 5 specifically speaks to a Pastor concerning the conduct of his children.  Though no one does all things pertaining to child rearing perfectly, there should be character qualities in the children of a Pastor that show time spent in training and teaching them.  The Bible has clear instruction to a parent concerning the rearing of children.  If followed, the children will reflect the godly manner in which they are raised.  The children will reflect positively on the Pastor and this will help the congregation respect the Pastor and have faith that he or she will be able to teach them what they have done to have the children conduct themselves as they do.  There may be some ‘pressure’ on the children of the Pastor and the children may initially be uncomfortable.  Love and time spent with the children verifying their importance cures this.